Milly's Pantry helps students with back-to-school supplies

YATES COUNTY—Milly’s Pantry is looking to provide 1,000 children who live or go to school in Yates County with school supplies. Milly’s Pantry just held its two main collections last Friday in Dundee and two Fridays ago in Penn Yan. Suzan Richards explained the goal this year is to help give 1,000 students, from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade, school supplies. She said the goal last year was 500 students, but the drive was able to give needed supplies to 820 students. Richards explained during the first year of the program in 2009, 320 students were supplied with school essentials. While the two collection dates are over, Richards said the group is still accepting school supplies. She added that notices went out to churches, some of which are also collecting items. Richards said as the distribution dates approach, the churches will bring the supplies to Milly’s Pantry. She said that if anyone wants to donate supplies or make a monetary donation before distribution, it should be done by the week of Aug. 22. Organizers are accepting everything from notebooks, to post-it notes, and disinfectant wipes. The school supplies will be distributed in Penn Yan on Aug. 17 and in Dundee on Aug. 24. Preregistration is recommended. Forms are available at the schools, Milly’s Pantry, or Dundee Area Youth Center. “Our philosophy is to meet the need where it is,” said Richards. She explained Milly’s Pantry wants to give students the supplies they need before the school year starts. She said it’s important for the students to go to school with everything they need and not after. Monetary donations can be mailed to Milly’s Pantry, P.O. Box 734, Penn Yan, N.Y. 14527. For more, contact Suzan Richards at 315-244-5763 or suzanb15@yahoo.com.